Humboldt County – Reflection

Reflection ~ Findings and Evaluation Comments from UC Davis workshops for Humboldt County DHHS​ Professionals held in Eureka, CA, Half Day Workshops.

UC Davis Instructor: Joe Tassinaribeautiful Eureka coastline

​Reflection is offered to give power to voice, to promote understanding among team members and bring light to the  findings from the workshops.

Wellness In The Workplace
AM 3/24/16 – 21 Participants
PM 3/24/16 – 24 Participants

Customer Service, Being In Service To Others
AM 1/22/16 – 31 Participants
PM 1/22/16 – 27 Participants

REFLECTION – Wellness In The Workplace
AM Thursday, 3/24/16

Findings

Links:
How Being Positive Leads to Wellness

Wim Hof
Home Water Filters
Coconut Oil vs. Olive Oil
How To Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
Cumulative Team Qualities

Every human, no matter who, has a streak of goodness:

Yes – 20     No – 1

Positive Team Qualities Of Participants

  • Invested
  • Plosive
  • Brainstorming
  • Knowledgeable
  • Inclusive
  • Committed
  • Detailed-oriented/thorough
  • Empathetic
  • Humor
  • Good Listener
  • Giving
  • Efficient
  • Accepting
  • Friendly
  • Self-sufficient
  • Upbeat
  • Caring
  • Common Goal

Caution About Food – As Reported By Table Groups

  • Processed food with fatty acids is hard for our bodies to assimilate
  • Food additive labeling can be deceptive; e.g., MSG is also called "Natural Flavor", "Disodium Guanylate", "Hydrolyzed Anything", etc.
  • Low fat milk is higher in sugar than regular milk
  • Practice moderation in all consumption
  • Coconut oil leads to heart conditions (bad coconut oil can lead to heart conditions)

​Positive Food Tips – As Reported By Table Groups

  • We don't have to finish eating everything in front of us
  • Home cooking is better than fast food
  • Be present and mindful of what we eat
  • Baking and broiling is better than frying
  • Eat the colors of the rainbow … Roy G. Biv

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

  • Fun energy
  • Giving feedback and group work
  • Cooperation of people in class
  • The mental outlook
  • Interactivity
  • Good information, not just from Joe but from all in attendance
  • How it involved everyone
  • Sharing with co-workers & seeing similarities
  • The group interactions helped me feel more comfortable talking to my coworkers
  • Inclusive – acceptance of all participants
  • Intentional health wellness
  • The positive feedback and reflection
  • Thinking what means the most in the course of the day. Liked participation level

How could this course be improved?

  • We didn't read off the back of the bag of chips passed around
  • The course description did not match the actual training. Was ot what was expected
  • Bring cups for the spring water!
  • More time on activities & relating to work. Less talking by instructor
  • Slightly more structured
  • I don't know 
  • Covering other physical wellness tips
  • Follow topic list

How will you apply what you learned?

  • Be grateful
  • Breathe!
  • Won't isolate everyone in a 12 step program with comments of abstinence
  • Breathing tips for stress
  • Suck in more air!
  • When thinking about wellness about work and home
  • Just work on being more mindful and aware
  • Healthy habits smiley
  • I will be more mindful of my breathing and think of "us" instead of "me" and "them"
  • Allow the people around me the opportunity to express themselves
  • I will be more accepting to others and acknowledge the things that need to be improved and compliment on the positive things
  • Give praise to your co-workers. This is sorely missed in the course of your workday. Remember gratitude and thankfulness. Express it verbally and in your e-mail replies – even if just a one-liner closing.

End of 3/24/16 AM Reflection Humboldt County DHHS
connect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
reflections from other workshops     contact instructor Joe Tassinari

REFLECTION – Wellness In The Workplace
PM Thursday, 3/24/16

Findings

Links:
How being positive leads to wellness

Wim Hof
Home Water Filters
Coconut Oil vs. Olive Oil
How To Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
Cumulative team qualities

Every human, no matter who, has a streak of goodness:

Yes – 21     No – 3

Positive Team Qualities Of Participants

  • Easy going
  • Understanding
  • Funny
  • Humor
  • Caring
  • Organized
  • Intuitive
  • Great attitude
  • Accepting
  • Kind
  • Respectful
  • Compassionate
  • Positive
  • Empathy
  • Positive Attitude
  • Active listener
  • Positive
  • Hard worker
  • Open Minded
  • Resourceful
  • Uplifting
  • Supportive people person
  • Great attitude

Caution About Food – As Reported By Table Groups

  • Be mindful of what we put in our bodies
  • Avoid GMO food
  • Don't let food consumption consume you
  • Food preparation: Is it cooked with intention and love?
  • Be careful of what you cook with (Teflon vs. stainless steel, etc.)

​Positive Food Tips – As Reported By Table Groups

  • Be mindful and take time to eat
  • Eat food you've grown yourself
  • Make meals an event
  • Drink water before you eat
  • Eat balanced meals; e.g., rice, meat, veggies

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

  • Cooperative interaction, community building – essentially making new friends
  • The positivity and humor
  • Bonding exercises with team and class
  • The instructor's enthusiasm for material was clear
  • Right amount of group work, safe, stimulating environment
  • The subject material was well covered and understood
  • Team building, interacting exercises
  • Joe's experience and openness
  • It was positive & gave me ideas to use in my workplace & at home. It gave me a lot to think about
  • Preciseness
  • Sense of community
  • The positivity. I value the respect the instructor demonstrated
  • Getting everyone to participate in the activities
  • Working in groups – sharing in each other's strengths
  • Inclusion, mutual respect, focus on balanced living, ingredients for wellness
  • Participating. Instructor was very knowledgeable and fun!
  • Feeling at ease
  • I really valued Joe's ability to naturally instruct the class without feeling forced or insincere.

How could this course be improved?

  • I would love for it to be a full day and immerse into the material fully
  • More videos
  • A little more structure & an actual scheduled break
  • Maybe more of a focus on movement & activity level
  • Cups for the water smiley
  • A little difficult at first to want to speak out or group work as an introverted individual, but as the course went on it was easier
  • n/a
  • Address toxic environment of government work – how not to feel like a number – teach supervisors specifically
  • More interaction
  • Physical wellness and stress relief
  • I wish sups & leads had to take this
  • It was fantastic – no improvement needed
  • Make it a wee-bit longer

How will you apply what you learned?

  • In everyday life, my interaction with customers and in raising my children
  • To be a better person
  • Practice mindfulness & kindness every day
  • Being mindful of what I practice in my personal life
  • I'm going to be more mindful of my own personal wellness
  • It was positive & gave me ideas to use in my workplace & home
  • To all facets of my life
  • Hopefully more positive
  • Positivity around you starts with yourself
  • I will incorporate what I learned at home and at work and in everyday life
  • Wim Hof Breathing!!! Thank you Joe
  • More cognizant of how I am thinking – positive vs. negative. Focus on my and others' strengths. Being a leader is being in service
  • I will look up websites and apply breathing techniques
  • Hopefully as often as I can
  • I will try to bring positivity to every aspect of my life, no matter how small the task or interaction

End of 3/24/16 PM Reflection Humboldt County DHHS
connect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
reflections from other workshops     contact instructor Joe Tassinari

 

Special thanks to Fiesta Grill and Cantina in Arcata. When I asked why all staff were positive and kind one of the patrons, David, said that the owner, Guillermina, brings out the best in people. A truly positive place!

 


REFLECTION – Customer Service
AM Friday, 1/22/16

Findings

Being in service, what does this mean?
(as reported by each table group)

  • Active listening
  • Access & opportunity – helping others achieve their goals by removing obstacles and barriers
  • Compassion and availability
  • Giving what someone needs and wants by being compassionate and communicative
  • Empathy
  • Determine the need and try to fill it through effective communication

Customer Service Standards
(each person chose one of the following standards that was resonating in the moment and shared why)

Responsive and Helpful

  • I listen to the customer and solve the issues at hand
  • Because I try
  • I listen to the customer and try to help the best I can
  • I understand formatting and programs. I'm willing to help with problems
  • I listen and respond with info and resources to help the customer. I hear the person out and give them the help, info and resources they need
  • I treat my client's needs as a high priority and thoroughly understand the resources I have to help
  • I actively try to assist others' needs
  • I listen to what the client needs and let them know what course of action is going to be taken to get results
  • I listen to what the client needs and help to provide the correct services or point them in the right direction

Valued and Trusted

  • I am always on time, always smiling and eager, and always wiling to jump head first into helping others

Knowledgeable and Resourceful

  • I know where to find things
  • I have been doing this forever and know the system
  • I've been doing Livability for a long time

Professional Team Member

  • I will attempt to aid my coworkers with resources
  • I show up on time ready to work, I try to complete all my work timely, and respect my co-workers
  • Because I am professional and a good team member

Compassionate and Understanding

  • I am professional and a good team member because I am able to empathize while still providing services
  • I believe that different circumstances could have led me to a less fortunate situation
  • I strive to afford others freedom to live without oppressive assumptions
  • I've worked in client's homes so I know the obstacles and fears of the elderly and disabled
  • Because I can easily put myself in their place
  • I feel like I can put myself in other peoples shoes

Respectful and Courteous

  • Because everyone deserves to be treated as such
  • I let people say what they want to and listen. I am courteous because I respect people's feelings
  • I listen to others before I offer my opinions

Competent and Efficient

  • I (mostly) know the rules, how to explain them, and how to follow them
  • I'm intelligent, thorough, hard-working and productive
  • I'm hardworking and organized

What would make an excellent day at work?Humboldt County
(each table group shared 2 answers)

  • Everyone shows up with a positive attitude
  • Leave drama at home
  • Quiet time, and even siestas during the workday to decompress
  • Refreshment area provided by employer
  • When good work is acknowledged
  • When clients become self sufficient
  • The right amount of work – not too much, not too little
  • Chatting with co-workers, enjoyment, laughter
  • Enough time to get the job done
  • Later start time, earlier leave time
  • Granting benefits to the customers successfully
  • An indoor place to exercise and free child care

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

  • Encouraged discussion and positivity
  • The fun we had made it less like a training than a group discussion
  • I valued how positive and energetic Joe is. I valued his attitude and excitement
  • Interactive and fun. Lots of participation and team building
  • I valued the part to reflect on what we said about ourselves and what the others brought to the training
  • Group participation
  • Being able to speak
  • Joe made it clear and comfortable to participate or not. It was fun and informative
  • Interactive, fun, group activities saying good things about myself
  • Interaction with coworkers during training was very engaging and productive
  • I enjoyed the team work and character building
  • Getting to better know co-workers
  • Valued getting to know my coworkers better
  • My group was encouraging and fun
  • Group work. Fun
  • The focus and emphasis on positivity was great and helpful
  • Everything smiley
  • Interactive
  • The course was informative, helpful and fun
  • It was comfortable to interact with co-workers (the instructor made this happen)
  • Discussion

How could this course be improved?

  • N/A
  • Smaller group
  • More client/situation centered
  • Can't think of anything
  • n/a
  • I'm not certain, it was so good already
  • Nothing smiley
  • More brainstorming
  • This course was presented less than a year ago with a different name so people who attended the earlier course and signed up for this one got duplicate information & handouts. I unnecessarily took a place away from those who hadn't attended the previous class
  • A little more focus
  • Less platitudes & cliches more application
  • More individual time/less group
  • Cookies
  • It was so good that I had to use the restroom for the final hour & 1/2 but was too interested to step out
  • A little more time to go over all the handouts

How will you apply what you learned?

  • Keep it in my mind while I work
  • It re-enforced what I already practice. It was great to have that affirmation
  • I will learn to value others (my co-workers) more (be mindful of the atmosphere in my office). Value what I contribute to my workplace more than I currently do
  • I will try not to look at what I need to improve as a negative. Reflection is a good thing to do
  • Try to have fun
  • Daily – at work helping the elderly and disabled stay safely in their homes. At home – being mindful when others are talking
  • Cards displayed on my desk and talk about class with others
  • By trying to be more honest about things that bother me
  • It will stay with me forever
  • Being more supportive to co-workers
  • I will continue self upgrading and learning
  • In my actions with clients and coworkers
  • I will try and keep learning & growing
  • Interaction with coworkers
  • Having a more positive attitude

​Participants: Jennifer, Amanda, Johanna, Kimberly, Jack, Angela, Jessalyn, Lynne, Cindee, Enedino, Tricia, Haley, Adam, Catherine, Cheri, Brian, Paula, Andrew, Susan, Jacob, Elizabeth, Plato ,Dawn, Travis, Appolonia, Patricia, Kirsten, Yuri, Kia, Sandy, Josh

We set out for a few hours to have it be easy for others to be in our presence, to have fun as a learning community and to sharpen our customer service skills. Practicing being in service to each other by intentionally establishing a comfortable atmosphere with our colleagues, our most important customers, we achieved our goals. With ease, comes joy. When we are comfortable and happy we are truly at our best. I encourage you to review the competencies on your service cards and keep giving them away. Thank you for your hospitality, professional collaboration and welcoming spirit. ~joe

End of 1/22/16 AM Reflection Humboldt County DHHS
connect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
reflections from other workshops     contact instructor Joe Tassinari

REFLECTION – Customer Service
PM Friday, 1/22/16

Findings

Being in service, what does this mean?
(as reported by each table group)

  • Listen, identify customer need, determine a solution
  • Listen in order to identify needs; provide matching resources
  • Put yourself in their shoes: If it matters to them it should matter to us!
  • Giving acceptance
  • Giving your advantage
  • Bring a compassionate attitude to work everyday you can​

Customer Service Standards
(each person chose one of the following standards that was resonating in the moment and shared why)

Responsive and Helpful

  • I know how to keep interviews on track
  • I am always happy to help
  • People have been responsive and helpful to me in the past & present & I want to pay it forward
  • I use my resources to help clients achieve what help they are needing now throughout the community
  • I understand that life in general is not easy and I appreciate it when people are responsive and helpful to me
  • I listen to what my customer's needs are and take time to be sure teir questions are answered and needs are met (if possible) or guide them to where they can get help

Valued and Trusted

  • I show up every day, I'm always on time and try to do my job to the best of my ability
  • I am honest and hard working
  • I follow through with special projects and special cases
  • I Love people (clients & co-workers) and am willing to do everything in my power to help/empower others

Knowledgeable and Resourceful

  • I don't believe I need to know every answer off the top of my head. I need to know how to use my resources

Professional Team Member

Compassionate and Understanding

  • In being compassionate and understanding it helps others, which in turn makes them feel better, which makes me happy
  • I can empathize with customers since we've all had rough time we've had to get through and it's nice to have help
  • I have suffered, I see the suffering of others and I want the world to be a beautiful place
  • I truly care about each person and their needs
  • I know that everyone has challenges and difficulties because I have been there
  • I enjoy treating and being treated in this manner & because I can relate to many clients' feelings
  • I'm like this because this is the 1st step of doing my job

Respectful and Courteous

  • I was raised this way and believe in people's good intentions
  • Being this makes everything go more smoothly
  • This is the way I was brought up
  • Everyone deserves to be treated equally & fairly (how I would like to be treated)
  • It helps me be a better person
  • It creates a more pleasant work environment
  • Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and courtesy
  • It's how I was raised & it's how I would choose to be treated as well

Competent and Efficient

  • I like to do my work and be the best at what I do
  • I enjoy difficult problems and am naturally cynical

What would make an excellent day at work?Beautiful Humboldt County
(each table group shared 2 answers)

  • Office pets
  • Free food
  • Completing assignments by the end of the day
  • Keeping busy
  • Time to connect on a personal note
  • Less paper work
  • No computer issues
  • 2 hour lunch with a siesta
  • Strong co-worker friendships
  • Mutual respect and appreciation between co-workers
  • All work goes smoothly; nothing pending at day's end

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

  • ​Positivity, group projects and being positive to each other
  • The opportunity to learn and get confirmation of what we are doing right
  • I enjoyed the personal writing reflections and some of the spontaneous instructor insights
  • We went over course information through engaging activites
  • Enjoyed getting to know other county employees doing group activities
  • Interaction with coworkers
  • Joe is very upbeat and a good instructor
  • Very positive and uplifting day, group activities
  • Everything was helpful and made me assess situations from a different view
  • I liked Joe's energy and presentation
  • The strength of the course was the group exercises. I valued how we worked in groups
  • I liked that the course material went over many different areas so that there ws something for everyone to relate to
  • The positivity
  • Taught how and why we should have positive attitudes all the time
  • Group work
  • I appreciated the perspective placed on valuing self and co-workers as a source of improved work
  • Strengths of the course: interactive. I valued most all the tools we received & Joe's knowledge for customer service
  • Communication styles exercise was good
  • The activities really brought the theories to the forefront of the mind
  • Positive – encouraging – engaging (Reminded me of Tony Robbins in his good years)

How could this course be improved?

  • *Required for all Supervisors and Lead Workers on how to interact/supervise thier employees – same strategies apply*
  • Skits
  • Too much theory, what does this look like day in and day out
  • Course was great as it was
  • Gotta keep in mind that it's risky to speak up too honestly what's on our mind because there are repercussions that come back. Use to do that in training and its come back to haunt me
  • No improvement needed
  • Maybe add a segment on trouble shooting difficult customer interactions for people who have a hard time thinking on their feet
  • It's perfect the way it is
  • smiley
  • No improvements –
  • N/A
  • Don't know
  • N/A
  • Snack was too spicy smiley
  • I thought the training was a little fluffy and that sometimes it didn't feel safe to be negative

How will you apply what you learned?

  • Try the assertive style. I do have an interpersonal issue that I'm hoping to form a partnership to correct
  • I will try to be more open to the positive professional approach
  • Try to implement concepts in everyday interaction with clients, co-workers
  • By reading the communications style sheet and other handouts
  • Respectsmiley
  • Being better with clients and coworkers
  • Work every day
  • Try to be more understanding of co-workers
  • Staying positive, better communication
  • Review handouts and reflect what was discussed during training
  • Will attempt to be generally mindful
  • I will apply what I learned to help me handle customers with a better attitude and a more assertive way
  • I will use this information every day when I interact with customers
  • By being more aware of how I can improve & help others
  • It's something that can be applied in work and in personal life
  • Appreciate another way of approaching work from a positive outlook, avoiding deficit-based thinking
  • I will definitely apply in my interactions w/ co-workers & clients
  • In all human interaction regardless of station. I will be mindful of my attitude 
  • Everyday – use a lot already. Great refresher

Participants: Lance, Rebecca, Irene, Christina, Shan, Jeffrey, Catherine, Luiza, Dorothy, Laura, Michelle, Natalie, Kelly, Debbie, Bruce, R.D., Mike, Matt, Tammy, Emily-Ann, Amanda, Kathleen, Matt, Sherilynn, Erin, David, Sarah

We set out for a few hours to have it be easy for others to be in our presence, to have fun as a learning community and to sharpen our customer service skills. Practicing being in service to each other by intentionally establishing a comfortable atmosphere with our colleagues, our most important customers, we achieved our goals. With ease, comes joy. When we are comfortable and happy we are truly at our best. I encourage you to review the competencies on your service cards and keep giving them away. Thank you for your hospitality, professional collaboration and welcoming spirit. ~joe

End of 1/22/16 PM Reflection Humboldt County DHHS
connect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
reflections from other workshops     contact instructor Joe Tassinari